My experience watching this video involved about 3 minutes of feeling TOTALLY inspired, and then a final 5 seconds of cracking up entirely. :) Jay, you are too awesome. And your wise words AND your joy are infectious.

I always love your videos jay, but I don't know if I fully agree with this one. What I got from it was we can do better on the racial standpoint, but as humans we're going to always have an imperfect way of dealing with different people..

What I question is that if as humans we are imperfect and have that injustice towards people, how can we really be better, we are stuck in the variable that stops us from improving those injustices, that variable being our species..

I think its more human nurture rather then human nature that gives us those negatives..

Question - I'm an organizer and currently recruiting people to attend a state legislator lobbying day in February. I would *love* to use this video in my recruitment. It speaks perfectly to why we should be celebrating while striving forward.

If I have your permission, will you e-mail me at the address above? Merci.

True words.
We are definitely not there yet and whatever happens in the next two years will be interesting.
But you know what though?
Obama is not "black", should one get technical. He's of mixed ancestry. I think this is a very important fact a lot of us tend to overlook. Why is it important? Because his racial identity represents what America should be about. Treat others how you want to be treated as we are all human; so to speak.

about halfway through watching the video i hear my sisters music turn off, there's a pause and then she goes "is that obama?"

nah sis, just jaysmooth in the mothafuckin house

Posted by: colin at January 20, 2009 5:31 PM

Well said. Thanks, Jay.

Posted by: Cassis at January 20, 2009 5:53 PM

you're so smart.

Posted by: jenessa at January 20, 2009 9:43 PM

I was in Paterson today on a job when I pulled over to listen to the new President's inaugural address. I preferred to be in my living room watching it on my TV, but I gotta pay the bills.
His address touched on the central bases of what ails the country and he expressed it in a way that was clear, concise, even alliterative. I do have hope that life as we know it will get better, but I'm also quite realistic in thinking that some things have to turn for the worse in order for it to get much better. That is the economy, the Middle Eastern conflicts, and a few other major problems. In terms of racial equality, yeah, this is a giant leap forward, and I hope and believe that a new consciousness is beginning to form. I don't understand why in another country like Britain can Black and white folk live in harmony while there are still nasty abscesses of racism going on in the States. I understand there are some socio-economic factors at play, but there is also some straight up ignorance. Finally, a leader from my generation that isn't attached to the ultra wealthy elite who make a lot of behind the scenes moves.

hi. i just found this blog through obama stuff online... and i have been watching for your videos on the election and obama and inauguration alongside all the major news networks and pundits... and i gotta say... you have brought this whole election season to a new height to me. your video "a poem for the youth voter" inspired me and i shared it with all of my friends and family. all of your videos are amazing and i thank you so much for making them and i hope you keep doing political updates even though election season is over. thank you.

Posted by: mira at January 20, 2009 10:26 PM

yes! :)

Posted by: Alison at January 20, 2009 11:20 PM

While the mainstream media and many folks are talking about how this is the end of racism, I'm going to stick my voice with the folks who know a little more about that first hand and who try to remind everyone that there's still a long way to go.

But, that said, it has been fabulous how many black leaders, artists, and preachers have gotten so much media attention since the election, on talk shows and wherever, and particularly in the inauguration ceremonies. Not like Beyonce and Aretha Franklin were undiscovered or something, but it is certainly a crown of importance and legitimacy to be part of the President's inauguration ceremony. And most importantly, more than just one woman and one black man. Lots of great folks, not tokens.

It is almost as if the press, in its uncanny and unnerving way, is creating truth as it reports it, as if by proclaiming a new reality to exist, it will now do so, because that is the shape of reality consumed by the public. They say racism is over and then they better prove it, so they actually try to do so.

that should run as a PSA on every network, everywhere, in our country.

Posted by: ashlee at January 21, 2009 11:39 AM

I agree with most of the video except I think the last 5 seconds of this video were totally uneccessary...I think that the hyping Obama as the first BLACK president is racism in it's own way, isn't it supposed to be irrelevant whether someone is black, white, brown, yellow, red...You Americans expect too much from the guy and it's not his fault, time will tell that as world politics are concerned, he's just another president...

Ringpeace, while I understand that the final ode to Obama's Blackness seemed out of place and racialized, coming at the end of a paean to continued struggle to embrace and fulfill King's dream (not the color/but the content), I would not call the action racIST.

Looking at J, I'll assume he's a little like me, able to pull from a lineage of varied cultures, and yet identifying as Black, or, Person of Color.

I considered the organic place of the last lines, full of a celebratory emotion, and reconciled that for as whole and inclusive as the speaker wishes to be in his comments on the importance of Obama's place in history, and in this moment, there is an enormous, natural feeling of pride in seeing one's own face finally reflected across the years of inaugurals of leaders of this land. It is conspicuous, Obama's face and presence in the long line of presidents, and auspicious.

And in speaking to that, a cheer erupts - a deep laugh that has started has rumble, erupted through rage, and salted our peoples' meals many evenings.

Not racism, no. Allow some this moment. It is harmless.

Posted by: Nita O. at January 21, 2009 1:57 PM

I agree with Nita, in regard to Ringpeace. It was not at all racist, but rather it was race-aware. And how the hell could we not be? We HAVE to be in this instance, because he is the FIRST person to be elected to that office who is of a different ethnic lineage than his many predecessors.

And "us Americans" are all so very different, so very diverse in our roots and our cultural ties, that when the highest office in the land finally reflects some of that diversity, we must rejoice.

He is not a messiah or a superhero, but he is a symbol of our struggles and our fights.

It's so nice to hear you speaking about peace and hope and the work that lies ahead.

It's important that Obama be acknowledged as black because black people have been overlooked and tucked away for too long. On the "other side" of the tracks. Since the election I've seen so many black people with their heads held high with confidence and hope, not arrogance, and it has been a true miracle to behold.

But it's also important to acknowledge that Obama is white. He is the ultimate symbol of unity. He is a black man and he is a white man. He is a symbol of those little children walking hand in hand. And you can feel it in his spirit.

Hey Smooth,
This was a good as the old man who did that final prayer thing at the event of our lifetime.

And, i finally know what you should do for the next 4 or 8 years: Be a speech writer for da Brother President.
Or maybe you can just set up da Peoples Presidency, where you create the cabinet we need...
But the bottom line is that you will give all the speeches.

Though I feel as elated as you, it seems a bit disingenuous to espouse the same old tired philosophy that was part of the reason many people thought this day would never come...I am talking about the "there is always work to do" bit.

NO JAY! THERE IS NOT ALWAYS WORK TO DO! Human beings have the capacity for positive change and thorough progress! To spout otherwise is not only plain false, but it also does a disservice to those people who tend toward cynicism and won't stomach change if they see no light at the end of the tunnel(and clearly there are many like this).

Ask yourself - If the constitution and founding principles of this nation, which in essence amount to a logical extension of the "golden rule", are a bar set too high to ever be fully reached - then what have we been fighting for?

Posted by: Najirama at January 22, 2009 7:29 AM

hey Jay,

thanks for the vid. it was necessary. there are so many reasons why this new Presidency and President is great. and we have a ton of work to do. he's "inherited" a great task and i think he's jumped off to a good start. now the activists must begin our work of holding feet to the fire. at least this time around, i won't feel like i'm banging my head against the wall like the Bush era. but that we're actually using that prior era to build the movements we need to push the Obama presidency in the direction we need. now i feel energized and i'm beginning to help with work in the food movement!! the people deserve a food democracy and access and knowledge of what we're eating. it feeds our minds and bodies and affects our livelihood.

paz,
al boogz

Posted by: miss al boogie at January 22, 2009 10:12 AM

you hit the nail on the head! well-said!

Posted by: has at January 22, 2009 1:38 PM

Thank you!

Posted by: RachelB at January 22, 2009 2:21 PM

First time viewer; first time commenter - I'm glad you included that "Dr. King's dream is fulfilled as long as we continue to do the work." That right there is truth!

You mean he's BLACK? Like BLACK BLACK? Like Michael Jackson pre-1988 BLACK? Like Will Smith before he acted in a movie BLACK?
Man I didn't listen to the other side, cause I feared they would only run a smear campaign. So I only listened to Obama. He never mentioned(that I heard) of being black. I bet the other side did. Damn... Is it too late to get my vote back? I feel betrayed. That should have been stated clearly on the ballot:
1- Black Guy
2- White Guy.
We could of had a walking albino turtle and a hot soccer mom in the office right now if I had only been open to listening to both campaigns.
Shucks.

In case anyone doesn't get it, I'm joking. I didn't vote. I figure if who ever wins turns out bad, I can say, "Hey at least I didn't vote."

Posted by: Jon Dough at January 22, 2009 3:03 PM

this is awesome, i'm very impressed with your monologs. although, i must say, the mad scientist in me heard:

"we need to stop being so human. we need to stop being so human."

so i for one am going to be waiting over here, in line for my new robot body and compartmentalized, digital brain.

To clarify: BOTH races do. We have a great new President; why not start anew and all be good to EACH OTHER? Life can be tough, but everyone has good things to offer.

Posted by: mayan at January 23, 2009 5:04 PM

To clarify: BOTH races do. We have a great new President; why not start anew and all be good to EACH OTHER? Life can be tough, but everyone has good things to offer.

Posted by: mayan at January 23, 2009 5:04 PM

Jay Smoove! Thanks for bringing us your voice again. Something you said here echoed what a co-worker told me on Inauguration Day. It's against the idea that this is some pinnacle where we can stop and rest. Her daughter asked if she could skip classes to stay home and watch the coverage on tv. The mother said, "No, this ain't no holiday! It doesn't mean we all stop working just because he's up there getting sworn in. He's probably doing work in between celebration stuff, and so will you."

While I realize the need to celebrate and mark occasions, I also agree with my coworker's sentiment that Obama is just one human and all of us are needed to adopt firm resolve to keep making things better and love one another.

Posted by: brian at January 23, 2009 5:35 PM

Incredible vid, Jsmooth! You hit it right out of the park (just like President O's speech)

Posted by: Squarepeg at January 23, 2009 7:17 PM

Thank you. You summed up my feelings almost perfectly. Now that we have put Hope in the White House, it's time to do the hard, but joyous work to make our country and the world better.

I just wanted to thank you Jay for this great video. I've watched it several times and tonight I made my children (ages 11 and 12) sit and watch your video with me. It sparked an important discussion and your video gave me the words I had been looking for and helped drive my point home.

Dr. King didn't preach about a time in which only one man was judged on the quality of his character rather the color of his skin. It was ALL men. Although, as you pointed out, that goal will never be attained because of the flaws inherent in humanity, it is good to see a sign that improvements are being made.

Yes, he is black. :D

Posted by: SDLN at January 27, 2009 3:37 AM

nice...
wish more people grasped this. wish more people moved passed this, and came up with what to do NEXT? that list is long... right?

Posted by: GoodSon-AB at February 1, 2009 11:31 AM

hey. Im from Brazil and Im really impressed about your videos..I really like it!Its good!!This is my favorite video and when I watch it makes me think not just about america but about my country too!
Thanks for all of this that your are doing..and you are going really far..keep going, dont stop !Nowadays we really need people like you!
bye ;)

Posted by: Anna at February 3, 2009 12:14 AM

hey Jay,

Needless to say, your videos are great. Not only they're on point with a lot of sense, they also have a really great sense of humor.

(i think the Wall-E video was one of the fav.)

I don't know if you get the chance to read all of the comments, but here's mine anyways.

Since this is an era of technology, i would like to know your thoughts and everyone else's of course on who should be the nations' FIRST CTO, and what the priorities should be.

once again, thanks for posting these videos, which I personally believe, that inspires people. (at least to start asking the "right questions")

1

Posted by: bloodywicked at February 8, 2009 5:49 AM

jsmooth...

where you at?!

love the vids. ...but i remember a promise to keep posting them....

Posted by: anne at February 13, 2009 2:05 PM

always blown away, man - always blown away

Posted by: prentice penny at February 13, 2009 2:25 PM

You should, if you want, vlog on the recent HBO special Right America feeling wronged. Its on demand now. There is a whole segment of extremely angry yt's out there.

Posted by: Dominant Intelligence at February 24, 2009 7:16 PM

deinterlace that hoe

Posted by: cedric at June 30, 2009 2:49 PM

I want to make a friend with you,just online

Posted by: Cynthia at October 10, 2009 8:15 AM

I think this site holds some real good info for everyone :D. "Believe those who are seeking the truth doubt those who find it." by Andre Gide.

I just recently discovered your blog and have been catching up on your videos. Wow. I love your intelligent, insightful commentary on the world around us. Looking back on this video and what has transpired since, I can't help but see that the people who see themselves as the majority in this country have begun the same backlash that occurred after the Civil Rights era. It saddens and frustrates me to think that we can't have progress without also taking steps backwards. It's amazing how they are able to portray him/his policies as radical because of a perceived "otherness" when in reality his policies tend toward middle of the road. One can only hope that we can eventually make strides forward without also having to move backwards.

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